Literary Influences:
* Modernist Literature: Faulkner was deeply influenced by the modernist movement, particularly its emphasis on stream-of-consciousness narration, fragmented narratives, and exploration of the human psyche. Authors like James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Ernest Hemingway had a significant impact on his style.
* Southern Gothic: The rich and often disturbing history of the American South, its racial complexities, and the psychological consequences of the Civil War were key themes in Faulkner's work. Authors like Flannery O'Connor, Eudora Welty, and Carson McCullers also explored these themes in their Southern Gothic writings.
* Shakespeare: Faulkner was a voracious reader and deeply admired Shakespeare's mastery of language, character, and dramatic tension. He frequently drew parallels between his own work and Shakespeare's plays, even referencing them directly in his writing.
* Greek Mythology: Faulkner often incorporated elements of Greek mythology into his works, drawing on its archetypal characters and themes. This is particularly evident in "The Sound and the Fury" and "As I Lay Dying."
Personal Influences:
* His Family History: Faulkner grew up in the Mississippi Delta, a region deeply affected by the Civil War and its aftermath. His own family's history, particularly his grandfather's role in the war and his grandmother's struggle to rebuild their lives, deeply influenced his understanding of the South and its complexities.
* His Experience in the Military: Faulkner served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War I. This experience had a profound impact on his views of war and violence, which often found their way into his fiction.
* His Relationship with his Father: Faulkner's relationship with his father was often strained, and his struggles with his father's authority and expectations are reflected in his writing. This theme of the "absent father" is particularly evident in "The Sound and the Fury."
Other Influences:
* Music: Faulkner was deeply influenced by the blues and other forms of Southern music, which he incorporated into the rhythms and language of his prose.
* Art: He was a keen observer of art and was particularly influenced by the paintings of his friend, the artist Howard Finster. This influence is visible in his vivid descriptions and his use of symbolism.
Faulkner's unique voice was a complex tapestry of influences, woven together to create a powerful and enduring literary legacy. He was a master of language, a profound observer of human nature, and a keen student of the American South. His writing remains relevant today, as it continues to explore the enduring themes of memory, family, history, and the search for meaning in a fractured world.